LANSING, MI (WTVB) – Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox dropped out of the state’s 2026 gubernatorial race Friday evening.
He cited the insurmountable political impact of Donald Trump’s endorsement of his primary opponent as the primary reason for his exit. In a official statement, Cox said that Trump’s late-June backing of U.S. Rep. John James placed the nomination out of reach.
Internal campaign polling following the endorsement showed James taking a clear lead, Cox expressed deep sadness over ending his 20-month campaign but threw his full support behind James for the general election.
The sudden exit transforms the upcoming August 4 primary into a two-man race. James will now compete directly against Oakland County businessman Perry Johnson who issued a statement courting Cox supporters saying, “Mike Cox ran a strong campaign and did an effective job exposing why John James should never be governor of Michigan and why he would be defeated by Jocelyn Benson in November. While I am sorry to see Mike leave the race, this creates a tremendous opportunity to unite Republicans who do not want John James as our nominee. Seventy percent of voters in this race are already opposing John James. Now is the time to unite Cox and Johnson voters behind the campaign that can defeat the career politician.”
A report from the Michigan Advance highlights that voters who already cast ballots for Cox can choose to spoil them to submit a new vote.
James publicly thanked Cox for the support to foster party unity.
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